Method and apparatus for sealing a bathtub overflow port for testing purposes

ABSTRACT

A method of sealing an overflow fluid port of a bathtub against fluid flow for testing for leaks in the water system which includes the overflow fluid port, comprising, inserting into the overflow fluid port an expandable plug, mechanically expanding the expandable plug to engage an interior surface of the port to seal the port against fluid flow; thence conducting the water system for leaks; thence mechanically moving the expandable plug to a non-expanded condition, and removing the expandable plug from the port. The structure for sealing a bathtub overflow port for testing purposes, includes an expandable plug removably mounted in the overflow port of a bathtub.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/247,247 filed Sep. 19, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In new building construction, the plumbers prefer not to put the finished closure valves in the bottom of tubs, or the finished decorative plate over the overflow outlet at the end of the tub until the project is finished because these elements will be often damaged as the construction project is brought to a close. Further, the piping for both of the outlets need to be checked for leaks before the inspection process is completed. The test involves running water down the vent for the drain until it reaches a level above the tub and the tester then determines whether any of the piping leaks. Thus, when the testing operation arrives, a plug is put in the bottom drain of the tub and some sort of a seal plate is placed at the end of the tub on the overflow outlet.

[0003] Existing overflow plates have a center opening therein. There are either two or four small screw holes in the plate adjacent the center opening wherein two of the holes are used to hold the plate to the plumbing fixture. In some cases there is a fitting so that the screw hole is located directly in the middle of the access hole. In that case, that hole is in the way when the testing procedure is implemented. In any event, the testing procedure usually involves stuffing a balloon through the large center opening into the pipe in the wall and the pipe is sealed when the balloon is inflated. Further, existing seal plates normally have to be removed when the decorative plate is put on. The decorative plate is typically held by two screws which either use the screw openings of the plate or two additional openings in the case that four holes are provided.

[0004] Some efforts have been made to seal the overflow ports of bathtubs with a diaphragm, and then cut the diaphragm when the test is completed. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,241). However, the system for including the diaphragm sometimes involves screws and tools, and is not always convenient to install or to remove after testing.

[0005] It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a seal for a bathtub overflow port that is very easy to install for testing purposes, and is easily made operable for overflow purposes when the testing is finished.

[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a seal for a bathtub overflow port that is very economical to manufacture.

[0007] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A temporary closure means for a bathtub overflow port, comprising extending through the overflow port an expandable non-threaded plug which can be expanded to seal the overflow port during the testing of the water system, and which can be moved to a non-expandable condition for easy removal from the port after the testing has been completed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0009]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a conventional bathtub environment utilizing the invention of this application;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is an exploded large scale view of the expandable plug used in this invention;

[0012]FIG. 4 is an exploded large scale sectional view of an open overflow port about to receive the assembled plug of FIG. 2; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a still larger scale sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the plug of FIG. 3 installed in a sealing condition in the overflow port of a bathtub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional bathroom structure 10 has a floor 12, and a hollow wall 14 with a wall opening 16 therein. A conventional bathtub (“tub”) 18 has a base 20 which rests upon floor 12. Sidewalls 22 extend upwardly from base 20 as does an end wall 24. A bottom 26 dwells in spaced relation to the floor 12.

[0015] A conventional drain port 28 is located in bottom 26. A conventional overflow port 30 is located in the end wall 24 (FIG. 2). A vertical drain pipe 32 extends downwardly from drain port 28, and overflow drain pipe 34 extends downwardly from overflow port 30. A horizontal pipe 36 connects pipes 32 and 34. A drain pipe 38 extends downwardly from the junction between pipes 34 and 36.

[0016] A conventional vertical vent pipe 40 is located within the hollow wall 14. Pipe 42 interconnects vent pipe 40 and the upper end of overflow drain pipe 34 (FIG. 2). Conventional water pipes 44 extend through hollow wall 40 and are connected to valve 46 which is interconnected to conventional control member 48 and faucet 50.

[0017] With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a conventional expandable plug 52 is shown which does not of itself comprise this invention. However, its use and application in conjunction with this invention is deemed to be novel.

[0018] The plug 52 is comprised of bolt 54 which includes head 56 and a threaded shank 58. A cup shaped washer 60 has tapered side walls 60A, a bottom 60B and a square center aperture 60C.

[0019] Similarly, a cup shaped washer 62 has tapered side walls 62A, a bottom 62B, a square center aperture 62C, and a flat perimeter flange 62D.

[0020] A resilient expandable washer 64 has a circular center aperture 64A, tapered side walls 64B, and an outer perimeter surface 66.

[0021] Sealing washers 68 with center openings 70 are located adjacent the bottoms 60B and 62B of cup-shaped washers 60 and 62, respectively.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, a washer 68 is positioned against bolt head 56, and the cup shaped washers 60 and 62 are placed on bolt shank 58 with resilient washer 64 therebetween. A second sealing washer 68 is then placed on bolt shank 58 to be located between wing nut 72 and cup shaped washer 62.

[0023] In its non-expanded condition of FIG. 4, resilient washer 64 is in a non-compressed condition, and the diameter of the washer 64 is equal to or less than the interior diameter of the overflow port 30 as shown in FIG. 4, thus permitting the plug 52 to be slidably moved into the interior of port 30 in the position shown in FIG. 5. While in that position, the wing nut 72 is rotated inwardly on threaded shank 58 to compress all the components of the plug 52 on shank 58 together so as to compress resilient washer 64 tightly between the cup-shaped washers 60 and 62, thus expanding the perimeter 66 of washer 64 tightly against the interior surface of port 30 (FIG. 5). The deformation of the perimeter 66 against the interior of port 30 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] With the port 30 so sealed, the water testing procedure can be completed. When it is finished, the wing nut 72 is rotated outwardly on bolt shank 58 to decompress resilient washer 64. The plug 52 can then be slidably removed from port 30 to permit a conventional cover to be placed on the port.

[0025] This invention eliminates the need for threads in port 30 to affix a seal plug therein, thus saving some costs in manufacturing. Further, the plug 52 is easily inserted into and removed from port 30, which expedites the water testing procedure. This invention therefore achieves its stated objectives. 

I claim:
 1. An overflow system for a bathtub which has a bottom, and adjacent side and endwalls, a drain port in the bottom, and overflow port in an endwall, with said overflow port being in communication with a vent pipe, comprising, a drain pipe adapted to be in communication with said drain port and said overflow port, said drain pipe having an inverted L-shape, including a horizontal leg extending into and through the overflow part of the bathtub, and a vertical leg extending downwardly for connection to a fluid drain system, and an expandable plug removably positioned in the interior of the horizontal leg and expanded to seal the horizontal leg against fluid flow.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the expandable plug has a resilient expandable washer which can be slidably moved into and out of the horizontal leg in its non-expanded condition, with means on the expandable plug to expand the resilient washer radially to seal against an inside surface of the horizontal leg to seal the horizontal leg against fluid flow.
 3. A method of sealing an overflow fluid port of a bathtub against fluid flow for testing for leaks in the water system which includes the overflow fluid port, comprising, inserting into the overflow fluid port an expandable plug, mechanically expanding the expandable plug to engage an interior surface of the port to seal the port against fluid flow, thence conducting the water system for leaks, thence mechanically moving the expandable plug to a non-expanded condition, and removing the expandable plug from the port. 